Data from Scurri Unpacked, Scurri’s quarterly review of ecommerce delivery trends based on over 200 million annual shipments processed through its delivery management platform, shows that e-commerce order volumes in the UK and Europe increased by +18% in the first quarter (Q2) of 2025, with a +25% spike in June. This was due to Father’s Day gifting and exceptionally hot weather.
The Met Office stated that June 2025 was one of the warmest months on record in the UK, while temperatures throughout much of Europe were far higher than usual. Seasonal categories performed the best. Several categories led the increase in order volumes, including fashion (+33%).
E-commerce volumes in the UK grew by +6% year over year in Q2, partly due to Father’s Day spending, which GlobalData estimates would have topped US $ 1.43 billion this year. Fashion was one of the top-performing UK categories throughout the quarter, demonstrating the impact of this gift-giving event.
The UK saw consistent expansion, but there was also a robust level of overseas shipping. In Q2, volumes increased by +37% year over year in Germany, followed by Poland (+28%) and Ireland (+21%). The impact of 10% tariffs imposed on UK goods early in the quarter (5th April 2025) was reflected in the -17% decline in volumes to the United States.
E-commerce companies kept using delivery choices as a means of boosting consumer happiness and brand loyalty in Q2. Signature-on-delivery services increased by +21% QOQ and +28% YOY, suggesting that consumers are becoming more concerned about delivery assurance, possibly as a result of growing concerns about package theft and fraud.
Volumes of Next Day deliveries were up +29% year over year but flat vs Q1, indicating a consistent need for speed.
Due to fewer gift-giving occasions, weekend delivery volumes decreased by 26% from Q1, which was to be expected, yet this service saw the largest growth of +47% year over year. Meanwhile, as consumers look for a solution that strikes a compromise between price and timeliness, two-day shipping showed a +19% QOQ increase.
